Historic meteorites with hand painted museum numbers and old collection labels carry a provenance that increases their monetary value but, more importantly, they provide us with a tangible link to the past — to the collectors, researchers, and meteorite hunters who have gone before us. Historic specimens put us in touch with the early days of meteorite collecting. They are friendly reminders that we are only temporary caretakers of our own collections and that we ourselves will, one day, become part of the chronicled history of these marvelous visitors from outer space.

HISTORY OF THE TAYLOR COLLECTION GIBEONS
During 1971 and 1972 Mr. Taylor, a British geologist, worked in Namibia at the Tsumeb mine. He purchased a most unusual collection meteorites from the wife of a man who had been a bokkie wagter (goat herder) on one of the large livestock farms in the Brukkaros area of Namibia.

This goat herder was member of the Nama tribe. While tending goats belonging to the farmer for whom he worked, he often traveled, on foot, a great distance from home. The landowner sent out provisions for the goat herder, who made small temporary huts of stone and a grass roof for shelter at night. Every so often he returned to the main farmstead where his family lived.

While out in the field the goat herder became interested in strange pieces of iron which he found while caring for the goats. He collected some and kept them under his bed in his various bokkie wagter huts. After the goat herder died of old age his wife traveled out to his huts in order to collect his belongings. While gathering up her husband's few simple possessions, she noticed pieces of iron under his bed. With some difficulty, she carried the irons back to her home on the landlord's farm.

An engineer, and friend of Mr. Taylor's, happened to be repairing the farm's borehole wind pump. He noticed the irons, and knowing of Mr. Taylor's interest in geology and meteoritics the engineer arranged a meeting. Mr. Taylor identified the pieces as Gibeon meteorites, bought all of them from the goatherd's widow, and later shipped them back to Britain, where they remained in his personal collection for many years.

[pictured] Large Gibeon irons on display in the Namibian capitol of Windhoek. Gibeons are now protected under Namibian law and exportation is illegal. These specimens were obtained many years ago, before the ban was enforced.

GIBEON
IVAB  First discovered 1836 Hardap, Namibia
357.8 grams Taylor Collection with original label

New listing Excellent highly sculptural palm sized individual with lovely character. Displays naturally as shown. Scale cube is 1cm. With original historic Taylor Collection label.
Taylor Collection number 779-G
63 mm x 54 mm x 45 mm  $445.00

GIBEON
IVAB  First discovered 1836 Hardap, Namibia
1,252 grams Taylor Collection with original label

New listing Hefty individual, nearly three pounds in weight with pronounced ridges and an attractive geometric shape. With original historic Taylor Collection label.
Taylor Collection number 781-G
84 mm x 71 mm x 47 mm  $1,250.00

GIBEON
IVAB  First discovered 1836 Hardap, Namibia
1,848 grams Taylor Collection with original label

New listing Excellent large true individual with numerous thumbprints on both faces. Stands up and displays naturally as show. One of the very few Taylor Collection pieces with original patina. Nice. Taylor Collection number 761-G
124 mm x 91 mm x 57 mm  $1,750.00